New Off-grid Minimum Quality Standards Effective January 1, 2014

The updated Lighting Global Minimum Quality Standards for off-grid lighting products go into effect on January 1, 2014. However, existing products tested under the current standards will retain their “passed” status until their test results expire.

The Minimum Quality Standards for LED-based off-grid lighting products have been updated with major changes in recent months in response to industry trends and stakeholder views.

The major change to the framework is the removal of the public-facing Recommended Performance Targets. This is in recognition that the market has matured to a point where the public performance targets are no longer needed.

The updated minimum quality standards also introduce a new performance reporting requirement for light output and daily run time. This new requirement is intended to provide consumers with reliable information about product performance at the time of purchase.

The performance reporting requirements are expected to go into effect by mid-2014 after planned consultations with stakeholders.

Other key changes are the ban of use of batteries with cadmium or mercury. The minimum quality standards also require for all batteries used in off-grid lighting products to pass a battery storage durability test.

In addition, all LED-based off-grid lighting products will be required to have a consumer facing warranty of at least 12 months from time of purchase.